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Welcome
Welcome to Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment web site.
We collaborate with City agencies, business groups, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to protect and enhance
Seattle’s distinctive environmental quality and livability.
The purpose of this site is not only to inform, but also to inspire individuals and organizations -- both within
and outside City government -- to take actions that help make Seattle a model of healthy, ecologically sustainable urban living.
Become a Carbon Coach!
The goal of the Carbon Coach program is simple: we want YOU to educate, motivate, and support your friends and neighborhoods in taking action to reduce their climate pollution at home, at work, and on the road. Trained Carbon Coaches will focus on carbon emissions from transportation, waste generation, home energy use, and materials purchasing. The free six-week long course consists of two-and-a-half hour training sessions once a week.
The first course is underway, but if you'd like more information or would like to have one of our first Carbon Coaches come visit your group, contact us at seattlecan@seattle.gov.
 How Cool is Your City?
Would your city like to help residents make climate-friendly decisions as part of community-wide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions? If so, IMCOOL is a ready-to-go climate action campaign designed to inspire citizens to take simple but important actions that reduce climate pollution.
IMCOOL is a free toolkit containing outreach materials, such as posters, flyers, email newsletter templates, a website framework and more. All your city needs to do is download the templates and personalize its name on the materials in order to start talking to residents about why cool personal choices can help change the climate for good!
The IMCOOL toolkit was produced through a partnership between the cities of Seattle, Salt Lake City, Boston and Minneapolis with assistance from ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and the generous support of the Blackstone Institute.
Do "The Switch"
Check out this short video (starring OSE's director Michael Mann, among others) illustrating a fun and innovative program designed to increase energy efficiency in Seattle's homes. Community youth are trained to visit their neighbors, help them make the switch to energy efficient CFLs and low-flow showerheads, and provide more ideas for how residents can do simple things to help reduce climate pollution.
2008 Climate Action Plan Progress Report
Just released, the latest report on Seattle's Climate Action Plan details our accomplishments to date on reducing Seattle's carbon footprint. We've made a lot of progress in protecting the climate by creating transportation choices and compact communities, increasing building energy efficiency, promoting clean vehicles and fuels, and engaging the community to take action.
We've got more work to do and everyone in our community can help. Learn how at Climate Action Now, or stop by and see us at Green Festival on March 28/29. Download a free admission coupon on the Climate Action Now website!
Mayor's Green Building Task Force
Three years ago, Mayor Nickels pledged that Seattle would reduce community greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, and in the long term, reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
There is tremendous opportunity for greenhouse gas emission reductions by increasing energy efficiency in public and private, residential and commercial buildings. Recognizing this opportunity, Mayor Nickels has established the goal of making Seattle America’s Green Building Capital. As part of his 2008 State of the City address, the Mayor identified an initial target of achieving an increase of 20% in the energy efficiency of Seattle’s new and existing buildings.
This Green Building Task Force has been convened to provide guidance on appropriate policy mechanisms that the City can employ to achieve these goals. 50 stakeholders with a range of perspectives on environmental and policy issues have been invited to sit on the Green Building Task Force and will meet monthly from June 2008 through January 2009. The membership includes representatives of real estate professionals, building operators, green building experts, low-income housing providers and advocates, historic preservation advocates, energy suppliers, financial institutions and other interested parties.
We welcome your input in this process, join us at the next meeting or send an email with your thoughts.
Seattle reLeaf
Seattle's valuable trees are disappearing. You can learn why it matters and what you can do to help by visiting the new Seattle reLeaf website. The site is both fun and informative, with features like a weekly tree blog, "Ask the Experts," videos about trees and links to all you need to know about planting and caring for trees. Working together, we can keep the Emerald City green!
Seattle Climate Action Plan
In 2006, Mayor Nickels released the Seattle Climate Action Plan, the most comprehensive set of investments and programs in the city's history for fighting climate change. The Office of Sustainability and Environment coordinates implementation efforts and monitors progress for the Plan's 18 actions. In October 2007, the first progress report was issued, along with an updated community greenhouse gas inventory. Seattle has made tremendous progress so far, and the work ahead will be to sustain Seattle’s gains, build on the momentum, and redouble efforts to reduce climate pollution in Seattle, not only by 7 percent by 2012, but by 80 percent by 2050.
2007 Progress Report Links
2006 Climate Action Plan Links
Seattle Climate Action Now
Here in Seattle, there is a growing recognition that global warming
isn’t a far away threat for future generations to worry about. It is
a real and present challenge for us right now. And for most of us,
the pressing question is, “What can I do to stop global warming?
How can I get started?” Joining Seattle Climate Action Now is a
great first step!
Seattle Climate Action Now offers practical tools
and resources that help us all become part of the solution to climate change. When we work together, we can tackle a serious challenge like climate change, build a stronger, healthier community for our families today, and ensure a more prosperous tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.
Working together, Seattle CAN make a difference!
Seattle Climate Action Now links
 Watch a short video of the Mariners Moose and Blitz from the Seahawks demonstrating several climate protection actions we can all take at home!
Urban Forest Management Plan
In September, Mayor Greg Nickels released for public comment the city's first-ever comprehensive plan for preserving, restoring and maintaining Seattle's precious urban forest. The urban forest, all the trees across Seattle's 54,000 acres of public and private land, has declined dramatically over the past 30 years. Learn more about the Urban Forest Management Plan (5 MB) and how you can get involved.
Environmental Action Agenda
The Mayor's Environmental Action Agenda for 2006-2007 will propel Seattle
forward in the fight against climate disruption, restoring and protecting
our precious urban forest, maintaining and improving water quality and building
healthy neighborhoods.
Read the
2006 Environmental Action Agenda - Acrobat PDF, 4 MB
Read the press release
Highlights
The City's Green Seattle Partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy was formed to restore
2500 acres of forested parkland by 2025. Visit the Partnership's website to learn more about the program and how you can get involved.
The site also includes best practices for removing invasive plants.
Former Vice President Al Gore joined Mayor Greg Nickels and his Green
Ribbon Commission on March 24th to announce a series of recommendations
that will shape the city of Seattle’s efforts to sharply reduce
Seattle’s contributions to global warming pollution.
Read the press release
Visit the Green Ribbon Commission website for the report and materials
The Green Seattle Guide
features a list of 101 eco actions for you and your family to help protect our urban environment.
It also offers a wealth of resources including websites, publications and volunteer opportunities.
Check out the website, or download the PDF!
On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to
address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified
it to date. On that day, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched this initiative
to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action by
at least 141 American cities. Mayor Nickels, along with 10 other US mayors,
is leading the development of a
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
Newstories:
More media stories can be found on the
Mayor's Climate page
Mayor Nickels Launches Restore Our Waters Strategy
Seattle is defined by water - our creeks, lakes, Puget Sound, the Duwamish River and other water bodies make the city a great place for people and for fish and other wildlife. Read what Seattle is doing to protect these incredible assets. For more information, check out the Mayor's website. Download the Restore Our Waters Strategy and see a map of Restore Our Waters projects.
 The Mayor's Green Seattle Initiative
The Mayor announced his Green Seattle Initiative on April 17. The goals of the Initiative are to: save Seattle's public forests; make Seattle's neighborhoods greener; and promote
green urban development.For more information, check out the Mayor's
press release, the Q&A, and
the Initiative's info sheet.
Click here for articles in the Seattle
Times and PI.
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